I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[snugglebug]

If you have the Aspire, definitely use it at a Hilton. I believe it's 17x spend.

I canceled my Aspire unfortunately. I just couldn't justify the AF this year. We both hold Surpass right now, hoping an upgrade offer for one of us. Or, he is still eligible so he'll apply eventually, but not right now. I'm leaning toward putting it on the Surp.

 

[Lorrie7249]

Hi

I am a newbie here on this thread. Recently purchased DVC contract so family and I will have more regular visits (not that we didn't regularly visit before every other year, its just that we know now we will be definitely traveling more often). Looking into signing up for another travel rewards credit card. Per the pinned post here are our particulars.

I am primary on these with my husband as an authorized user on the Chase Disney rewards card.
Cards Opened in the last 2 years:
11/18 - American Eagle Rewards VISA
05-06/19 - Macy's Star Rewards AMEX
10/19 - CHASE Disney Premier VISA

Note that we also have a regular Chase Disney Rewards as well, with my husband and son both as Authorized users -- I would like to either change that over to one of the other Chase cards or eliminate it altogether if it makes more sense to get a different travel rewards card and/or it can't be converted--not sure if Chase does this, or if we would need to close that card and just open a new one. We have several other credit cards as well (e.g. Discover cashback, Kohls/Lowes/other dept store cards) but have had those longer than 2 yrs.

• We typically spend about $2-3k+ on groceries, gas, restaurants and other expenses each month on our credit
• We currently payoff our CCs in full every month and have only carried any balances when it is 0% interest-(Disney vacations).
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of?-- Newark and occasionally Philadelphia or Trenton-Mercer airports if flights work out better.
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? - currently have United Mileage Plus, but haven't made use of miles since have not flown enough before miles expired
• Does SOUTHWEST Airline service your airport? - not really. Any time we have checked, Southwest is not having flights --not direct anyway to our destinations out of the airports we have checked in our area.
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? I am signed up through work for Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Again, have not stayed frequently enough to this point to make much use of those rewards aside from a gift card
• Do you currently have travel points or miles in any program? (if so, which programs and how much)-- currently at 0 miles due to expiry for Mileage Plus, 0 for Hilton Honors and small amount for Marriott Bonvoy.
• What are your specific goals for churning credit cards? Would like to be able to use Disney reward dollars to pay dues for DVC or for tickets/food when at disney on our trips, as well as pay for flights, get upgrades on flights, get free checked bags and/or early boarding-- TSA pre-check sounds wonderful as well.
• When do you plan to take these trips? planning our first trip back to Disney in December. We have plenty of rewards dollars earned thus far to go towards our goals there (thanks to DVC purchase), but looking to start earning miles/points for flights on this year's trip and to use for future trips
• Who does your travel party consist of? We are family of 5 - me, husband and 3 sons ages 19, 17, 12

I've been looking at Chase Sapphire, or Chase Unlimited Rewards, Chase United Mileage Explorer, and possibly the JetBlue card since JetBlue flies out of Newark and generally has many flights. JetBlue also flies to Reno, which could be beneficial since we have close family in that area and may occasionally travel there. Just not sure which is best. Perhaps a combo?

I think that covers it. Hope I have done this correctly

Thanks in advance

 

[happ]

The AF for my CIP just was charged, and I think I should PC it to the CIU because I already have a CIC. Does that seem like the best thing to do? Also, all of my UR's are sitting on this card. I'm assuming it's ok to leave them there if I PC it? I don't have any other CIP's or a CSP/CSR to move them to right now. Should I go ahead and move them to my CIC just in case they accidentally close the card instead of product changing it? Thanks!

I did the exact same thing last week, PC'd my CIP to CIU. Now I have all 3 UR biz cards. I didn't move my points and they are still intact, but that is a good idea just in case.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I agree with @palhockeymomof2 and @happ and the advice they have given you. I always charge a flat shipping rate - first class (between $4 and $5.75 covers pretty much everywhere) and then $8.50 for priority and I use the flat rate padded envelope. For coins and pocket knives, you can probably use the flat rate small box as the easiest method. Definitely pay your postage through ebay as it will save you quite a bit and it uploads the tracking automatically. Your fees for ebay will be about 12.9%+0.30 although they may fluctuate a % or 2 because they are changing some of their payment methods. If you don't have a paypal, get one. Look at sold listings of your exact item including condition so you can price accordingly. For something very valuable, maybe try a local coin shop to avoid the inherent risk of selling to a stranger on the internet. My son took up coin collecting as a hobby this quarantine - he has gone through relatives, friends, and neighbors coin bottles, boxes, bags. We discovered that coin shops still exist and he's now visited those too. Very old school

Thanks for all the tips!
I have been researching and will have to make a spread sheet of my items for sale. @SouthFayetteFan will be so proud!
None of the coins are very valuable but there are some in the $50-100 range. There are also some sets in boxes, so I might take some of those to a local shop but I need to catalogue them first. It is an interesting hobby. My uncle had mostly US coins but apparently saved random foreign coins, in an old Crown Royal bag. So funny. There are a few coins from each of over 30 countries some which no longer exist. Then there are a bunch of random things like a desk lamp from the 40's which I'm not sure anyone would even want. Lol.

 

[happ]

Still have Amex Small Biz offers?

Fluz app has Disney gift cards, minimum $15. So far every GC I've purchased from them has been credited the Small Biz Offer. That makes it 33+% off. Last week I purchased Sams/WM to purchase DGC, but I need more and we leave Fri. I was able to add this DGC to my account and combine to another card so their are not store only cards.

I have a Fluz link and info on Dischurners.

I have tried Fluz twice. The 2nd purchase was for Amazon, coded different, and took longer to post the credit which made me think it wasn't coming. There is still part of me that wonders whether Amex will claw back Fluz purchases.

 

[becauseimnew]

Hi

I am a newbie here on this thread. Recently purchased DVC contract so family and I will have more regular visits (not that we didn't regularly visit before every other year, its just that we know now we will be definitely traveling more often). Looking into signing up for another travel rewards credit card. Per the pinned post here are our particulars.

I am primary on these with my husband as an authorized user on the Chase Disney rewards card.
Cards Opened in the last 2 years:
11/18 - American Eagle Rewards VISA
05-06/19 - Macy's Star Rewards AMEX
10/19 - CHASE Disney Premier VISA

Note that we also have a regular Chase Disney Rewards as well, with my husband and son both as Authorized users -- I would like to either change that over to one of the other Chase cards or eliminate it altogether if it makes more sense to get a different travel rewards card and/or it can't be converted--not sure if Chase does this, or if we would need to close that card and just open a new one. We have several other credit cards as well (e.g. Discover cashback, Kohls/Lowes/other dept store cards) but have had those longer than 2 yrs.

• We typically spend about $2-3k+ on groceries, gas, restaurants and other expenses each month on our credit
• We currently payoff our CCs in full every month and have only carried any balances when it is 0% interest-(Disney vacations).
• What airport(s) do you typically fly out of?-- Newark and occasionally Philadelphia or Trenton-Mercer airports if flights work out better.
• Do you have a preference of Frequent Flyer program? - currently have United Mileage Plus, but haven't made use of miles since have not flown enough before miles expired
• Does SOUTHWEST Airline service your airport? - not really. Any time we have checked, Southwest is not having flights --not direct anyway to our destinations out of the airports we have checked in our area.
• Do you have a Hotel Rewards program preference? I am signed up through work for Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Again, have not stayed frequently enough to this point to make much use of those rewards aside from a gift card
• Do you currently have travel points or miles in any program? (if so, which programs and how much)-- currently at 0 miles due to expiry for Mileage Plus, 0 for Hilton Honors and small amount for Marriott Bonvoy.
• What are your specific goals for churning credit cards? Would like to be able to use Disney reward dollars to pay dues for DVC or for tickets/food when at disney on our trips, as well as pay for flights, get upgrades on flights, get free checked bags and/or early boarding-- TSA pre-check sounds wonderful as well.
• When do you plan to take these trips? planning our first trip back to Disney in December. We have plenty of rewards dollars earned thus far to go towards our goals there (thanks to DVC purchase), but looking to start earning miles/points for flights on this year's trip and to use for future trips
• Who does your travel party consist of? We are family of 5 - me, husband and 3 sons ages 19, 17, 12

I've been looking at Chase Sapphire, or Chase Unlimited Rewards, Chase United Mileage Explorer, and possibly the JetBlue card since JetBlue flies out of Newark and generally has many flights. JetBlue also flies to Reno, which could be beneficial since we have close family in that area and may occasionally travel there. Just not sure which is best. Perhaps a combo?

I think that covers it. Hope I have done this correctly

Thanks in advance

Welcome and Congratulations on your DVC purchase.

The first thing I would do I have your husband call chase and remove himself as an authorized user from the Chase Disney Premier, he would still be able to use the card as they don't de-activate it. That would make him 2/24 vs the 3/24 he's at. Never add your spouse as an Authorized user, just request a duplicate card, the spouse should be able to use it as no one hardly ever asks to see ID.

I think the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great card to have in your wallet. That would earn you 64,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards (60K from the bonus + 4,000 from the MSR). Then you could refer your husband and you would get 15,000 from the referral + his 64,000 which you can combine. Once you have the CSP you'll be able to transfer URs to United. If both of you got the CSP you would earn 143,000 URs. You should request to join our Reddit subgroup to use a support link, the offer is the same wether you go directly through the chase website or if you use a DisChurner support link.

Another good option is the Chase United, that offer from the Chase site is 60K miles for $3,000 spend and the annual fee is waived the first year.

 

[amcc]

My Chase offers on my CSR seem to have disappeared - has this happened to anyone? I noticed last week and thought it was a glitch but I still can't see them either on desktop or the app.

Thanks for all the tips!
I have been researching and will have to make a spread sheet of my items for sale. @SouthFayetteFan will be so proud!
None of the coins are very valuable but there are some in the $50-100 range. There are also some sets in boxes, so I might take some of those to a local shop but I need to catalogue them first. It is an interesting hobby. My uncle had mostly US coins but apparently saved random foreign coins, in an old Crown Royal bag. So funny. There are a few coins from each of over 30 countries some which no longer exist. Then there are a bunch of random things like a desk lamp from the 40's which I'm not sure anyone would even want. Lol.

1940s desk lamp? That might be your most valuable thing! See if it has a brand name on it and check it. I ❤ random things.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

For those following my seemingly never-ending saga of the Maldives / everywhere trip next year, I got to thinking last night, what if I could get us into an Etihad first class apartment for 1 leg of our return trip (since their hub is in Abu Dhabi, where we fly to from Singapore). After spending a fair bit of time (which is par for the course with this game), I found a flight on the A380 from Abu Dhabi to London (on Etihad on the Aeroplan website), 5 days after we land there. Hmm, what to do, what to do?

Cue the idea for a 90 minute drive (hired driver, of course) from Abu Dhabi to the Al Maha (in Dubai) for 5 nights. But do they have availability on points? Yes indeed they do! Tagging @calypso726 for ideas -- is it worth a 5 night stay here, or would we be better off spending maybe 3 nights here and then 2 in the city?

I still have our flight from Abu Dhabi in first class (via LAX) on the 777-300ER (no apartments in first class) booked until I decide if I really want to extend this trip another 5 days. It's almost all on points, but I don't really have anyone to look after the dog for this long and it is a long time for me to be away.

I still have to book flights home from London to Toronto (on June 4th) using AA miles. Then I will take some time to decide which route to take home (stop in Dubai or fly home via LAX), but right now I'm leaning towards trying out the famous Etihad apartment, even if it's just for 7.5 hours ('cuz who knows when I will get the chance again).

 

[ten6mom]

... only that one Amex out of 16 cards.

Even after a year on this thread that still seems like a lot of cards to me!

 

[platamama]

@wendow - did you go from sunbathing yesterday to snow boots today? Crazy weather!

YEP!!

 

[Judique]

YEP!!
View attachment 524684

60 degrees!!!

 

[afan]

I may be doing my asia trip alone, for lots of reasons I don't want to get into, bff wants to wait until January to plan it. I already told her I understood but I've worked too hard to get all these points that I'm still going to book my bit and she can get her flight later. While I do understand, I'm still frustrated so know I need to sit on this for a few days and I don't need to decide today anyway. But I'd been looking to her to make the decision so I didn't have to

I'm set with -
4 nights in Tokyo that gives me 3 full days and however much of one I want to spend before moving to TDLR.
4 nights there for 3 full days, one for each park and then the last to split.
1 night in Okinawa, because I really want to go there, so I need to just suck it up and keep that since it's what I want to do. I'd fly out early, but not too early from whichever airport is closest to TDLR down there. Then take a later flight out after the 1 night to Hong Kong since I think I'd gain an hour.
3 nights in Hong Kong for 2 full days, one for the park, and then a day to see the Big Buddha and whatever else I feel safe doing.
3 nights in Shanghai for 2 full days, one for the park and one for the city, the bund and stuff.
1 night in Beijing so I could see the great wall, so I'd want to leave Shanghai early to give myself enough time. This is the one I waiver on the most going by myself. The flight home leaves around 9pm from Haneda so I'd have to leave by lunch time to feel ok. I'd hoped to store a bag at the airport but if I fly out of Narita to Okinawa instead of Haneda that wouldn't work.

With the above it has me leaving on a Thursday evening and getting home on a Sunday afternoon. So part of it is, do I still want to leave it all as is, do I want to cut a day and come home on Saturday. This is also with the understanding that I could end up in Japan the entire time in which case Okinawa would be 2 nights and I'd add in Osaka and Hiroshima.

With not getting her ticket it frees up the points to use for other hotels. I'm sure going alone will cost me a bit more $ wise but I'd also be able to eat wherever I want which can help keep costs down. I'd rather go with a friend as it's generally more fun to share stuff with people but I'm not going to push this off or not go when I've been dreaming and planning it since June 2018. I'm just not fully sure what to do about Beijing really. And if I need 3 nights in HK, or is 2 enough. Because then I could come back Saturday but still have Beijing as an option or add a night at Okinawa or still come back Sunday and do the same. OMG, this is why I needed someone else to decide

 

[IFlossU]

My Chase offers on my CSR seem to have disappeared - has this happened to anyone? I noticed last week and thought it was a glitch but I still can't see them either on desktop or the app.

This happened on my husband’s CIP about a month after he opened it. I remember seeing 1 or 2 offers show up maybe a month or so after opening the card, and then one day poof they’re gone. That’s been at least 8-9 months ago. I periodically check to see if any show up, but

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

An interesting churning development for me today, I have been doing some card "clean-up" lately (i.e. adjusting credit limits and closing unneeded cards). I am back to single digit Chase cards! It's been quite awhile since I could say that!

Of course my wife is still at 10 so we have 19 altogether. Do you realize how crazy that would sound to almost anybody outside of churning circles? We are now DOWN to 19 open Chase cards... I think our high mark was 24 LOL! Glad I don't sound crazy to you guys though, haha!

 

[elgerber]

Hi everyone, been MIA while on our Plan B trip to the Black Hills instead of Hawaii LOL, for our 30th anniversary. Had sketchy, if no internet, for 7 of our nights LOL. I skimmed several pages, but didn't have time to read much. Did I miss anything super exciting or important?
We rented an RV and had a marvelous time. The only issue is it really made me want one even more and made me realize how tired I am of working 65 hours a week and I just want to be done and retired :-(.
Crazy weather on our trip, had a low early on of 36 and Saturday it was 100! and Monday when we were on our way home, that 100 was not a record early September snowfall of several inches. Yuck!
I am so behind on churning info, and other stuff, and I will be working every waking hour for the next couple of weeks, some day I can hopefully get some time to get back into the swing of life. I haven't had a new card in several months LOL, I can't decide if it's freeing or frustrating . I am hoping I am out of large spends for awhile though.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

1940s desk lamp? That might be your most valuable thing! See if it has a brand name on it and check it. I ❤ random things.

It's a Litemaster. LOL.

 

[afan]

It's a Litemaster. LOL.

Does the clock still work? That's actually a cool lamp, esp if the clock still works. Someone would want that, in the right office it'd totally work. Or as a bedside lamp.

 

[happ]

Note that we also have a regular Chase Disney Rewards as well, with my husband and son both as Authorized users -- I would like to either change that over to one of the other Chase cards or eliminate it altogether if it makes more sense to get a different travel rewards card and/or it can't be converted--not sure if Chase does this, or if we would need to close that card and just open a new one.

To change Chase cards, you have to stay in the same "family." So, the only card you could change the no-fee Disney card to is the premier. I would just hold onto the card for now since closing it would temporarily lower your score and possibly interfere with your new card applications. At some point you may want to consider eliminating the premier and keeping the no-fee card.

What are your specific goals for churning credit cards? Would like to be able to use Disney reward dollars to pay dues for DVC or for tickets/food when at disney on our trips, as well as pay for flights, get upgrades on flights, get free checked bags and/or early boarding-- TSA pre-check sounds wonderful as well.

Using Disney dollars is great, but with a few bonuses from other cards you will earn a lot more money. Some folks here use their CC bonuses/points/rewards to get discounted Disney GCs to pay for dues/trips.

When do you plan to take these trips? planning our first trip back to Disney in December. We have plenty of rewards dollars earned thus far to go towards our goals there (thanks to DVC purchase), but looking to start earning miles/points for flights on this year's trip and to use for future trips

If you can get approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP), that would be a good place to start earning Ultimate Rewards that can be used for travel or cash back. The Jet Blue card is fine, but the general advice is to get Chase cards first because of 5/24. If your husband is willing to apply for cards, then you have more options.

 

[amcc]

I know there are Away luggage fans here...they are having a sale which I understand is pretty rare.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I may be doing my asia trip alone, for lots of reasons I don't want to get into, bff wants to wait until January to plan it. I already told her I understood but I've worked too hard to get all these points that I'm still going to book my bit and she can get her flight later. While I do understand, I'm still frustrated so know I need to sit on this for a few days and I don't need to decide today anyway. But I'd been looking to her to make the decision so I didn't have to

I'm set with -
4 nights in Tokyo that gives me 3 full days and however much of one I want to spend before moving to TDLR.
4 nights there for 3 full days, one for each park and then the last to split.
1 night in Okinawa, because I really want to go there, so I need to just suck it up and keep that since it's what I want to do. I'd fly out early, but not too early from whichever airport is closest to TDLR down there. Then take a later flight out after the 1 night to Hong Kong since I think I'd gain an hour.
3 nights in Hong Kong for 2 full days, one for the park, and then a day to see the Big Buddha and whatever else I feel safe doing.
3 nights in Shanghai for 2 full days, one for the park and one for the city, the bund and stuff.
1 night in Beijing so I could see the great wall, so I'd want to leave Shanghai early to give myself enough time. This is the one I waiver on the most going by myself. The flight home leaves around 9pm from Haneda so I'd have to leave by lunch time to feel ok. I'd hoped to store a bag at the airport but if I fly out of Narita to Okinawa instead of Haneda that wouldn't work.

With the above it has me leaving on a Thursday evening and getting home on a Sunday afternoon. So part of it is, do I still want to leave it all as is, do I want to cut a day and come home on Saturday. This is also with the understanding that I could end up in Japan the entire time in which case Okinawa would be 2 nights and I'd add in Osaka and Hiroshima.

With not getting her ticket it frees up the points to use for other hotels. I'm sure going alone will cost me a bit more $ wise but I'd also be able to eat wherever I want which can help keep costs down. I'd rather go with a friend as it's generally more fun to share stuff with people but I'm not going to push this off or not go when I've been dreaming and planning it since June 2018. I'm just not fully sure what to do about Beijing really. And if I need 3 nights in HK, or is 2 enough. Because then I could come back Saturday but still have Beijing as an option or add a night at Okinawa or still come back Sunday and do the same. OMG, this is why I needed someone else to decide

I would stick with 4 nights in Tokyo -- it's a huge city and there is so much to see and do.

If it were me I'd skip Beijing (if you're only going for 1 night) and spend that additional night in Okinawa (where you can rest for a day). The great wall is spectacular and definitely worth seeing, but there's also so much history there I'd want at least 3 nights. Also I'd aim for a flight early in the day to Haneda to allow for any potential flight delays and spend some time in one of the amazing lounges there.